Lottery-style elements in scriptwriting
In the world of screenwriting, free option offers can seem like a golden ticket to Hollywood. However, these offers are often met with skepticism and caution due to their questionable effectiveness.
A common experience for many aspiring screenwriters is receiving a free option offer, which grants a producer exclusive rights to a screenplay for a set period (usually about a year) without any financial payment to the writer. During this option period, the screenwriter cannot market the screenplay elsewhere or accept paid offers from other producers.
Producers who don’t invest money upfront in an option are less committed to the project since they bear no financial risk, and may even option multiple scripts simultaneously without intention to produce. These offers frequently serve as a “bait and switch” or gimmick, with little real chance of advancement.
Experienced entertainment attorneys and Guild members advise against free options unless the terms are very favorable or accompanied by concrete commitments. The industry nature of exclusive rights during an option period adds significant risk when nothing is paid in return, immobilizing the script and constraining the writer’s ability to leverage better offers.
Historically, free options have been part of a larger pattern of enticements and risky offers that prey on new writers eager for a break in Hollywood. Paid pitches very rarely result in produced screenplays, and paid development and marketing services are often overpriced and ineffective for aspiring screenwriters.
Instead, writers are better served by seeking paid options, entering screenwriting competitions and fellowships, or pursuing internships or collaboration platforms that provide practical experience and professional networking. These avenues offer real industry engagement and compensation, unlike free option offers.
However, if a writer still wants to consider a free option offer, it is important to do thorough research on the producer, including checking their IMDb credits and recent activity. The writer should ask the producer as many questions as they’d like, such as how many other projects they are developing and where the writer’s project stands in terms of priority. If a producer does not include a rights of reversion clause in the agreement, the writer may miss out on opportunities with agents or other producers in the future.
In such cases, it is important to pay an entertainment attorney to review any shopping agreement if and when it gets to that point. Tenacity is crucial for a writer to market their work effectively, and asking questions and seeking legal advice can help protect the writer’s interests and increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Despite the allure of free option offers, the vast majority of free options do not result in produced films. Aspiring screenwriters are advised to approach these offers with caution and due diligence, and to seek out more reliable and effective means of advancing their careers in the competitive world of screenwriting.
References:
[1] ScreenCraft. (2021). The Truth About Free Option Offers. https://screencraft.org/blog/2021/04/19/the-truth-about-free-option-offers/
[2] The Black List. (2021). The Black List’s Guide to Screenwriting Contests. https://www.blcklst.com/blog/black-lists-guide-to-screenwriting-contests
[3] Script Magazine. (2021). How to Get Your Screenplay Produced: The Ultimate Guide. https://www.scriptmag.com/features/how-to-get-your-screenplay-produced-the-ultimate-guide
[4] Scriptwriters Network. (2021). The 10 Commandments of Screenwriting. https://www.scriptwritersnetwork.org/10-commandments-of-screenwriting/
- A producer, after receiving a query letter from a screenwriter, may offer a free option for the screenplay draft, granting exclusive rights for a year without any financial payment.
- A screenwriter, during the option period, cannot market their screenplay elsewhere or accept paid offers from other producers.
- Producers who don't invest money upfront in an option are less committed, possibly optioning multiple scripts without production intentions.
- Experienced entertainment attorneys warn against free options unless the terms are favorable or accompanied by concrete commitments.
- Paid pitches, development, and marketing services for screenwriters are often overpriced and ineffective.
- Screenwriters are better served by seeking paid options, entering competitions, fellowships, or pursuing practical experiences and networking opportunities.
- Before considering a free option offer, writers should research the producer, ask questions about their projects and priority, and include a rights of reversion clause.
- An entertainment attorney should review any shopping agreement to protect the writer's interests.
- The vast majority of free options do not result in produced movies, so aspiring screenwriters should approach these offers with caution.
- References for advice on screenwriting include ScreenCraft, The Black List, Script Magazine, Scriptwriters Network.
- writers are advised to seek out more reliable and effective means, such as competitions, fellowships, or practical experiences, to advance their careers in the competitive world of movies and TV.
